Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a fascinating area, located in Magombe swamp. The swamp is rich in biodiversity among which several primate’s species are seen during your Nature walk in the swamp Including; like the red colobus monkeys, olive baboons, black & white colobus monkeys, blue monkey grey cheeked mangabey, vervet monkey, red tailed monkey and the L’Hoest monkey and chimpanzees are also visitors, some animals are also seen around, Sitatunga, mongooses, bush pigs, otters plus bush bucks, also visit this swamp crossing from kibale forest national park.
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a community based organisation formed to support the community through various economic such as tour guides, rangers
The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is a great example of a community-based approach to the natural resources management which can be of good economic benefit to the different local residents living within this area plus the Uganda safaris industry as well.
Activities To Do in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
Guided Nature Walk
A three-hour Bigodi swamp walk within the sanctuary is offered in the morning and afternoon. It is advised to choose the morning time if you are a bird lover since it’s the perfect time for bird viewing. Although there won’t be a lot of wildlife along the path, you can find solace in the fact that the species you do encounter are relatively uncommon, and chances to see them in Uganda again will be few and far between.
Some of the birds you will see here include; Papyrus gonolek, grey-throated, yellow-billed, yellow-spotted, and double-toothed barbets, speckled, yellow-rumped, and yellow-throated tinker barbets, yellow-bill, and black-and-white casqued hornbill.
The Bigodi is a paradise for bird watchers is the best spot for bird watching and a skilled birder can spot variety of bird species. the swamp has over 138 species of bird recorded within the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. Among the major bird species within the sanctuary is the grand Blue Turaco, speckled, yellow-rumped, and yellow-throated tinker barbets, yellow-bill, and black-and-white casqued hornbill
This swamp is a home more than 200 species of birds, among which is the most well-known bird – Great Blue Turaco. The swamp is administered by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Development and it’s a great benefit to the nearby communities surrounding the park, its an organisation formed in support of the community through many activists that are of great interest to visitors visiting the communities.
the chimpanzees are also frequent visitor in the swamp, which you will see during the nature walk in the swamp, other primates include; red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, red cheeked mangabees, pottos among others.
Bigodi offers many activities for the visitors including; birdwatching, nature walks, wildlife viewing and community visits where you will visit the local community villages surrounding.
Conservation of this swamp has its real benefits, since it receives more than $150 000 got from tourists each year. A fraction of this earning was used to build Bigodi Secondary School as well as a nursery school, in addition to pay salaries of the school teachers; furthermore, bridges have also been constructed over swamps plus streams within the village.
Popular Safaris
- 10 Days Kibale Forest Chimp Trek
- 15 Days Kibale Primates Safari
- 20 Days Unique Primates Of Kibale
- 8 Days Chimps & Red Tail Monkey
- 7 Days Kibale Birding In The Forest
- 25 Days Colobus Monkey Kibale
All About Kibale
- History Of The Park
- Things To Do
- Places To See
- Getting There
Accommodation options;
Kibale Forest Camp
The ideal mid-range and low-cost lodging option is Kibale Forest Camp, which is situated near to the sanctuary offers a great accommodation option for the tourists visiting kibale forest national park.
The lodge has got 7 tents which are designed to meet the interest and the pocket of clients, the lodge is a budget lodge, the tents are non, self-contained and they share a shower and restroom facility. The tents are cosy and come with mosquito net and electrical outlets for your gadgets. A more opulent experience is provided by one of the 10 authentic en-suite safari tents with hardwood floors, twin or double beds, and a private veranda that is sheltered.
Getting to Bigodi Wetland
Situated outside the park,6km away from Kanyanchu information centre the park headquarters which is the prime destination for the start of chimpanzee trekking. to visit Bigodi, you can also get there by private company tour vehicle where you will be led by experienced guide who understands the nature of the place. You can also take a public transport to fort portal and Kamwenge which lasts for about 45 min and takes approximately 6 hours form Kampala.
The activity is done all year around but the best time is during the dry when the trails are dry and less muddy and slippery which eases the movement.
Frequently, Bigodi nature walk, is done by many travellers after a morning chimpanzee trekking and later afternoon you will go for Bigodi where you see some species, primate species and some animals like; red sitatungas, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, common warthogs and blue duikers, bushbucks, and African buffalo. The carnivores seen here include leopards, African golden cats, servals, different mongooses and two species of otters